The area is named for the Sanskrit words ‘Kona’ meaning corner and ‘Kana’ meaning piece, an apt name for a peaceful corner of our world. Hemmed in by the Western Ghats (also known as the Sahyadri mountain range) in the East, the Arabian Sea in the West, the Daman Ganga River in the North and the Gangavalli River in the South, the Konkan Coast is an inviting destination showcasing a slow-paced and simplistic way of life that inspires you to live, love, laugh and eat freely.

Cruise down the winding roads that cut through the hills to get an uninterrupted view of the sea. And as you journey along the rustic terrain, feast your eyes on the changing landscapes that go from lush green on the one hand, to sunsets of blushing pink and fiery orange over the ocean on the other. Many a traveler’s notes paint a lucid picture of magnificent ruined forts, paradisiacal beaches and charming fishing villages dotted along the Konkan Coast, where locals welcome you with open arms and mesmerize you with village folklore.

Kelshi, a small village tucked in the crannies of a vast seashore, is an ideal place to experience all of the above for yourself. Time seems to stand still as you imbue the scents and silence that envelopes you. This little paradise in Ratnagiri district is also home to dazzling, multicolored Kingfishers and several other types of bird that call these shores home.

The port town of Malvan is another hidden gem. It was a stronghold of the martial Marathas, but is now better known for its delectable Malvani cuisine and tropical fruit, particularly the justly famous Alphonso mango, jackfruit and cashews.

Ganpatipule is an idyllic getaway named for the nearby hill shaped like the elephant-headed god Ganesha (Ganpati being another name for Ganesha).  Don’t forget to renew your faith at, or just enjoy a tour of, the 400-year old temple dedicated to him.  If that’s not enough to entice you, the clear blue waters and shores lined with coconut plantations and paddy fields surely will.

Across the region, boatmen head out to sea early before returning to their colorful homes with the catch of the day. The markets are abuzz with the banter of experienced shoppers haggling with equally determined merchants.  As the sun sets, the sights are overtaken by the smells of spicy seafood, fragrant coconut curries and sweet rice dumplings steamed in turmeric leaves.

There is a sense of harmony in the way temples, mosques and churches coexist, in how hills, valleys and the coast come together, and even something to admire in the laid-back life that considers an afternoon siesta to be as sacred as an evening filled with music and merrymaking. That’s Goa in a nutshell - India’s ultimate Bohemian beach escape. A Portuguese colony in the past, Goa is many things all at once. Chase sunsets and untrammeled beaches, or draw up to any of the numerous bars for another round of Feni, the local liquor made from cashew fruit, or gyrate to some jazz music as the sun sets and the waves turn silver under the moonlit sky.